The Cahuilla Park Playground in Claremont is closed and fenced off for the installation of new playground equipment. The remodeled playground will feature Braille panels and an accessibility ramp, but the swing sets will remain. It’s expected to reopen in September.

CLAREMONT >> City officials say the Cahuilla Park playground project, which has fencing surrounding 16-year-old play structures near Oxford Avenue and Scripps Drive, is set to be completed in early to mid-September with new equipment.

“We’re looking forward to reopening in September,” said Kristin Turner, community and human services manager.

Turner said equipment was delivered on Wednesday.

The two play structures were installed in 1997 with one for children ages 2 to 5 and the other for those 5 to 12, Turner said.

New structures will be installed as well as a ramp for accessibility. New equipment includes a tree ladder, multiple slides, inclusive Braille panel, track ride, arched bridge and a rock climber.

“I believe it comes with a 10-year warranty,” Turner said of the new equipment.

Meanwhile, existing swing sets will continue to be on site.

Project costs are about $65,000 which is budgeted in the 2012-13 capital improvement project budget, Turner said.

“It’s good for the community,” said Mayor Opanyi Nasiali about the project. “It’s a place for kids to play and the equipment is accessible.”

Nearby resident Barbara Brown, 79, said the projected sounded good to her, on Friday afternoon.

“My grandchildren will probably love it,” said Brown, who has lived in the same house on Hanover Road since 1973. “But I think they’re getting too old … 11, 12 and 13.”

Another resident said he didn’t think the project should be built in the summer.

“I’ve seen it closed in for a month,” said Paul Hodges, 80, who lives across the street from the park on Oxford on Friday.

“All summer, the kids have had no way to use the playground,” Hodges said. “It would have been a nice summer for the kids. To do it in the summer when kids use it was wrong. They wasted the summer.”

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